Would you rather have a physical disability or a mental illness?
Physical disability
37%
[ 3 ]
Mental Illness
62%
[ 5 ]
Total Votes : 8
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Message
Musicocd Newbie User
Joined: May 16, 2007 Posts: 57
Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject: physical disability or mental disability?
I was sitting in a class today, in which there is a woman in a wheelchair, and I suddenly thought (it wasn't an ocd related thought), would I rather have a mental illness or a physical disability?
I secretly envy the fact that, although I realise it must be horrible to have a physical disability, people can actually SEE her disability. Although I am seen to have 'odd quirks', people generally don't assume I'm mentally ill.
She has a 'valid' excuse for not going to parties etc. I have not told my classmates about my ocd and they have begun to realise that I tend not to go to parties and things. I hate the fact that I will have to tell them eventually, and they will expect me to go into detail about it, and will ask personal questions when with her they are too afraid to bring up her disability incase it causes her offence. Both are personal disabilities, why do people feel they can pry into my illness and not hers?
Sorry, I realise that may be incredibly insulting, I just had to vent my anger at the ignorance of people when it comes to mental health.
Joined: May 30, 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Saskatchewan, Canada
Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 12:58 am Post subject:
I am not really sure how to answer this question, seeing how I have both a physical disability and a mental disability. I am an arm amputee and have depression and social anxiety, maybe even more. To me physical disabilities can be worse since they are on the outside and therefore people can see what is wrong with you. With mental disabilities they are on the inside and therefore can be hidden. But in my opinion it really depends how bad the disability is, for either physical or mental. I never answered your question but I do not think that I can. It totally depends on the situation.
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 4:26 am Post subject: Re: physical disability or mental disability?
Musicocd wrote:
I was sitting in a class today, in which there is a woman in a wheelchair, and I suddenly thought (it wasn't an ocd related thought), would I rather have a mental illness or a physical disability?
I secretly envy the fact that, although I realise it must be horrible to have a physical disability, people can actually SEE her disability. Although I am seen to have 'odd quirks', people generally don't assume I'm mentally ill.
She has a 'valid' excuse for not going to parties etc. I have not told my classmates about my ocd and they have begun to realise that I tend not to go to parties and things. I hate the fact that I will have to tell them eventually, and they will expect me to go into detail about it, and will ask personal questions when with her they are too afraid to bring up her disability incase it causes her offence. Both are personal disabilities, why do people feel they can pry into my illness and not hers?
Sorry, I realise that may be incredibly insulting, I just had to vent my anger at the ignorance of people when it comes to mental health.
I totally understand what you mean. I've been through similar situations as what you described. And a lot of people I've come across have no shame making fun of mental illnesses and laughing about them. Whereas when there's someone with a physical disability, they want to open doors for them or try to be friendly and talk to them to cheer them up and so on. They think people with mental illnesses are unpredictable and they try to "be careful" around us like we are some sort of psycho who might lose it at any minute. Atleast, that's how I've experienced it so far. I hope things are not as bad for you.
With that said, I'm still thankful that I have a mental illness and not a physical one.
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